Woman celebrates Mother's Day with long-lost mom

Andrea Niecikowski-Hunter and her birth mother Diane Espar missed decades of Mother’s Day celebrations.

Wendy’s raises funds for foundation through Frosty fundraiser

CHICAGO | Participating Wendy’s restaurants in the Chicagoland area are selling Frosty key tags for $2 to benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

Gary woman charged in adoption scams

A Gary woman has been charged with 15 felonies and 16 misdemeanors after a nearly two-year investigation unveiled she was running two fraudulent adoption websites, authorities said.

For good and ill, adoption transformed by Internet

In the emotion-charged realm of adoption, the Internet has been a transformative force, often for good, sometimes for ill.

Disabled parents face bias, loss of kids

Millions of Americans with disabilities have gained innumerable rights and opportunities in recent years, but advocates say barriers can block one basic human right: To be a parent.

National Adoption Month celebrates 'win-win' event

CROWN POINT | With cake and punch, the Alexander family celebrated the official addition of three members Friday morning.

Go for charitable 'adoption' as holiday gift

Buy a sheep, "adopt" a soldier or name a piece of rainforest.

New TV series shows open adoption from both sides

Pregnant at 18, a high school dropout, Genavieve Diggs knew she wasn't equipped to raise a child, but after surrendering her newborn for adoption, she nearly changed her mind.

Pence issues familiar prescription to improve families

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Mike Pence bypassed the opportunity to inject social issues in the race for Indiana governor Tuesday, announcing instead a "strong families" plan that recycles many policies of current Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Lakeshore PAWS Adoption Event Held During Harley Davidson Cruise-In Night

VALPARAISO | Find your new best (four-legged) friend at Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso on Friday, August 24. Lakeshore PAWS dogs and cats will be available for adoption during the shop’s Southpoint Cruise-In Night.

Siblings reunite after 5 decades

Dan Cornwall, 54, of LaSalle, Ill., catches up with his sister Barbara Buck, 63, of Brandon, S.D., at the Parkway Restaurant in Sycamore, Ill., after the two were reunited after more than five decades. Buck was put up for adoption when she was 2 months old.

Siblings reunite after 5 decades

SYCAMORE, Ill. | Dan Cornwall thought it was a scam.

Gregg seeks reforms to protect children, promote adoption

INDIANAPOLIS | Democrat John Gregg vowed Monday to use a portion of Indiana's more than $2 billion budget reserve to reform the Department of Child Services and promote adoption if he's elected governor.

Birth mothers' network helps reunite parents and their long-lost children

After a life of pain and regret over giving her baby up for adoption in 1968, April Martin, now 65, said for the first time in her life she's eager to tell her story in the hopes it will help other girls who were shamed into silence.

VU basketball coach savoring first Father's Day with his long-awaited son

VALPARAISO | Erik Buggs took the inbounds pass on a cold January night in Michigan. With less than five seconds left to go in a key Horizon League game, the Valparaiso point guard sliced his way through the Detroit defense to hit a running game-winner at the buzzer.

Averys have a picture, but little else as they await their adopted son

VALPARAISO | The photograph hangs on the wall, a face of a child they’ve never met, with a name they can't tell anyone, in a location that must stay secret.

A foster parent program provides life-changing opportunities

Since its dedication in 1947 as Hoosier Boys' Town, Campagna Academy has been helping youths escape neglect and abuse and return to safe, more stable homes.

Doubly blessed: a couple builds a family through adoption

Colleen Carlton and her husband, Rob, decided to adopt. Little did they know at the time that their decision would lead to two children, born just two months apart.

Parental Guidance Suggested: Campagna Academy foster parent program provides life-changing opportunities

Marian May of Gary is a foster mom who describes every day as "mother's day."

Doubly blessed: a couple builds a family through adoption

When attempts to get pregnant failed, Colleen Carlton and her husband, Rob, did something they had always wanted to do: adopt. Little did they know at the time that their decision would lead to two children, born just two months apart.